Chapter Three - You Going To Let Me In Or Just Stand There And Stare At Me

AN: Long ass title, I hate titles, I know I did this to myself but if I have to suffer in coming up with them you have to put up with how long and crappy they are. Hope you enjoy! Have a great day everyone.

Chapter Summary: Sara and Leonard have their first run in, numbers are exchanged and food is shared. That about sums it all up.

Leonard Snart was pissed this night had gone from bad to worse. The heist they'd spent weeks planning had to be postponed because one of his key players was arrested just hours before on separate charges, he'd walked in on his sister and friend kissing, an image he was sure was forever engraved in his mind and now he sat outside his apartment complex waiting on the maintenance guy to come unlock the door. He looked at the lock several times, the temptation to pick it strong. But he'd been warned that they'd be watching him and the slightest infraction and he'd have to find a new place to move and since he hated moving he decided he would wait outside patiently. He sat on the ledge just outside the door his head leaned back against the wall his eyes closed. He'd given up checking his watch an hour ago.

Sara walked up to her apartment complex slowly. She'd noticed a figure sitting beside the door as she'd turned the last corner of her run. She relaxed recognizing her neighbor Leonard Snart. She had quickly put together who he was by the names she'd heard his friends use. Him being a criminal didn't bother her one bit, after all she had no room to judge anyone, she'd taken countless lives. She stopped once she was within arm's reach of him. She wondered if he was asleep or that unaware of her presence, then she noticed his breathing change. If he wasn't aware of her before he was now.

"You going to let me in or just stand there and stare at me?" Again she'd snuck up on him but he pretended he'd known she was there all along. Her knowing smirk however told him that he'd failed.

"I'm just wondering why a man of your," she paused searching for the best word that would not come off judgmental or condescending, "talents", she decided was a good enough word, "would sit out here locked out of his apartment building."

So she knew who he was. He looked at her for a long minute waiting for the typical negative reaction but all he saw was amusement. "Yes well I'm trying to keep my lease, I have no intention of living with my sister and Mick." Saying their names brought back the images of them kissing.

"How new is their relationship?" She could tell by his reaction even though he tried to hide it that he was uncomfortable with them being together.

"Not that it's any of your business," he glared at her sitting up "but they've been together for months."

He was rude, she enjoyed it. "But you just found out." She deduced.

"I see being a detective runs in the family." He shot back in his usual snark.

She laughed the sound unfamiliar to her own ears, what was it about this man that would catch her so off guard. "You've been doing your homework." She should've known she wouldn't be the only one looking into her neighbors. She wondered how much he knew.

"It pays to know who you're living next to."

"And who I'm letting into the building." She added. "I'm Sara." She introduced herself officially.

"Leonard."

They were both silent for some time neither breaking the silence. "Hello Sara, I see you've met Mr. Snart." The landlord Jim glared at Leonard, he knew about his criminal activities and did not enjoy having him in the building, but his wife had demanded he give the man a chance. He'd taken his sweet time coming out to unlock the door for him.

"Hey Jim." Sara greeted their landlord. He was a nice old man, nice old man that apparently didn't like her neighbor. "This guy giving you trouble?" She shot her thumb in Leonard's direction. Leonard glared at her. She smiled at him. This night was not getting any better.

"Second time this week he's locked himself out." He complained. He was just glad it wasn't after midnight, as it had been the last time.

"Look at the bright side Jim, he didn't break in." Sara told Jim unlocking the door swinging it open and holding it.

"That's true lass, that's true." He waved a hand bidding her a good night. "Be careful around that one Sara." He didn't wait for her to respond. Leonard rolled his eyes used to being judged harshly. He learned a long time ago to not let it bother him.

Sara wondered if the landlord had any idea how dangerous she was. He should have given the warning to Leonard not her. "Wow. He really doesn't like you." Sara walked in holding the door open for him.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." Leonard followed her inside going to his apartment without another word.

"Here." She stuck a piece of paper out go him a week later.

"What is it?" Leonard asked unfolding the paper.

"My number. So you don't catch a cold out here." It was raining and Leonard was sitting outside the apartment building soaked.

Leonard tucked the piece of paper in his pocket to keep it from getting wet. Sara unlocked the door allowing him inside. "Thank you Sara." This was a thank you he meant, he hated being wet, cold was one thing, being drenched was another. He could not stand having the layers he wore sticking to him. Sara took note of the sincerity in his voice but said nothing, it was best not to ruin the moment.

Several days passed before Sara received a text. "Care to let me in?" She didn't recognize the number but there was only one person she knew that needed to be let in constantly. She didn't respond, instead she went straight to the door. "Hey." She pushed the door open for him.

"Hey." He responded. Sara seemed oddly awake at one in the morning. He wondered for a moment if she was a night person like him, but the eagerness to find out left him as soon as it hit. He didn't care, that's what he told himself anyways. "Thanks," he muttered entering his apartment.

A few days passed before he messaged her again. It became a common occurrence he'd text to see if she was home or awake, she'd go down to the main door and open it neither saying a word. No words were necessary, this became routine.

On one particular night when Sara went to get the door she noticed a change in his normal I don't give a shit demeanor. She knew better than asking him about it so she did the next best thing, and that was to offer him company and a beer.

"You any good at gin?" She knew he wouldn't be able to resist the competitive look she directed his way.

"Are we betting money?" He wasn't an idiot he knew she was providing him a distraction it was written all over her face the minute she took one look at him.

"Not today. I want to give you a fair shot before I take all your money. There is beer waiting to be consumed."

"You're on." There was no way he would let her win.

"Are you awake?" She received another text a week later. She looked at the time 0345. Reasonable question.

"Depends, do you want to talk about mushy stuff?" She hit send. He responded less than a minute later.

"I don't do mushy. Movie?" He'd had a rough day and wanted company that wasn't family or bar guests, he was sure both would result in a fight. They played cards several times in the past few weeks but tonight he just wanted to sit back kick his feet up and lose himself in a ridiculous movie.

"Doors unlocked."

Two days later she received another text. "Locked out." Leonard wondered how Sara managed to put up with him having to let him in at least twice a week. He knew if the roles were reversed he would not be as pleasant about it. She never complained or made any comments about carrying his key. She'd simply let him in and return to her apartment. He made a promise to himself, he'd find a way to thank her, subtlety of course. The opportunity presented itself several days later, it was simple and his gesture would not be conceived as too much even by his standards.

"I'm hungry." Her stomach had been growling for the past hour.

It was just after ten. "Eat."

"I burned the food."

So that was her doing, he'd thought he'd smelt burned food. He didn't respond instead he knocked on her door 30 minutes later with takeout. "Glad to see you didn't wither away."

She grabbed the bag of food and set it on the coffee table along with plates and two beers. "Thanks." Knowing he didn't like too much attention she didn't make a big deal of it. "Movie?"

He nodded. He was okay with a movie, they wouldn't have to talk. Unless of course they were criticizing the movie. That was one of the many things they had in common.